BUYERS GUIDE

“Electric trike conversion…simplified” not only equates to the simplicity of the trike conversion itself with this universal bolt on system but is an objective of the format of E-trikekits.com. You provide the adult tricycle. Everything you need to convert it to an e-trike that fits your needs and budget is here. This system is designed around a standard rear rack style e-bike battery that is readily available from many suppliers in the marketplace.

The objective of the modular hardware system is threefold: mounting rear rack style batteries, mounting storage boxes and mounting motor controllers onto typical Chinese import adult tricycles. The hardware configurations listed in this buyers guide will allow you to easily bring your adult trike, motor kit and battery together into the e-trike that suits your power, range, storage and budget requirements. 

There are 9 possible configurations of modular components to consider when selecting products to convert your trike. They are listed below and can be purchased as hardware kits and as basic hardware kits depending on your needs. More detail on the difference between hardware kits and basic hardware kits can be found in the Hardware Kits section of the store. Please note that all of the hardware kits in the 9 configurations do not include the motor kit, battery(s) or battery charger. They can be added to your cart individually and will ship separately in the carton that my vendor ships them to me in. Therefore, a complete e-trike conversion kit will ship to you in 3 cartons; one that includes the hardware kit, one that includes the battery and charger and one that includes the motor kit. 

 

Now for the list of the 9 configurations to consider for your E-Trike conversion.

 

The one place battery mount basket riser is the core offering to build your modular e-trike conversion around. It is designed to mount a single battery in the center position. Two combinations of modular components are possible.

 

1- Mount a battery in the middle position and 2 dry box with mounting frames in the outer positions. If no storage boxes are needed leave the outer 2 positions empty. To mount your controller, use the frame controller mount. Connect the battery to the controller with a controller wire.
A complete bill of material for combination 1 is:

  • 1BR- one position battery mount/ basket riser
  • DBMF dry box with mounting frame, qty 2
  • FCM- Frame controller mount
  • CW- controller wire
  • GS7- gear shifter
  • TA- torque arms


  • Battery, rear rack type (select from 36V or 48V)
  • Battery Charger (select from 36V or 48V)

 

  • motor kit (select from 500w-36V or 750w-48V and select rim diameter either 24" or 26")

     

     

    2- Use all 3 spaces to install dry box with mounting frames. This is an excellent option to provide storage on non-electric trikes as well as existing e-trikes.

     

    The 3 place battery mount basket riser is a robust bracket with end supports and offers more possible combinations of installed modular components. These combinations continue the list.

     

    3- A single battery in the middle position, a controller box mounted in the left position and a dry box with mounting frame in the right position.


     

    4- Two batteries mounted in the outer positions and a controller box mounted in the center position. For this configuration you can switch between the batteries by moving the plug from one battery to the other.

     

    5- Two batteries mounted in the outer positions and a controller box dual battery switch mounted in the center position.

     

    6- Two batteries mounted in the outer positions, a dry box with mounting frame in the center position, a controller frame mount, and a dual battery switch frame mount. 

     

     

    7- Two batteries mounted in the outer positions, a dry box with mounting frame in the center position and a controller frame mount. Connect the battery to the controller with a controller wire. For this configuration you can switch from the batteries by moving the plug from one battery to another.

     

    8- Three batteries which fill all 3 spaces on the 3 place battery mount basket riser, and a controller frame mount. For this configuration you can switch from the batteries by moving the plug from one battery to another.

     

    9- Three batteries which fill all 3 spaces on the 3 place battery mount basket riser, a controller frame mount and a dual battery switch frame mount. For this configuration you can have 2 batteries operated by the switch and have the 3rd battery in reserve to be plugged in when needed.

    BRINGING IT TOGETHER

    Now that you have selected a combination of modular components to convert your trike to electric, 2 more details remain. Gear shifting and fork reinforcement.

    Gear Shifting

    Most adult trikes on the market have a twist grip gear shifter or a combination gear shifter brake lever that mounts on the right end of the handlebar. A new configuration is needed when converting to electric. What is needed is a separate gear shifter to free up space on the handlebar for the twist grip throttle and brake lever with motor cut off, both of which are included in the motor kit. The assembly sequence is: 7 speed shifter offered here, brake lever with motor cut off and twist grip throttle. 

    Fork Reinforcement

    Converting standard tricycles to front wheel hub motor drive requires a stable mounting area. The axle of a hub motor relies on parallel flats of the fork to keep the axle from spinning. These fork openings must be beefy enough to withstand the torque that the motor produces without bending the fork seat open which will allow the axle to spin before the wheel turns. Most tricycles on the market that you may be considering are deficient in this area. Add a pair of torque arms to reinforce the bolting area of the fork.